Soka Adds Urbanchek and Crossen to Coaching Dream Team

Soka University’s Director of Aquatics and Head Swim Coach Dave Salo has announced the hiring of the Program’s first Assistant Coaches. Legendary former-University of Michigan Head Coach and five-time Olympic Staff member Jon Urbanchek has been named Co-Director of Soka University Swim Camps and Assistant Coach for the University. In addition to assisting with the Soka University men’s and women’s teams, Urbanchek’s focus will be on coaching an elite-level distance training group in conjunction with the Irvine Novaquatics Swim Club, also led by Dave Salo.

Irvine Novaquatics Assistant Coach Adam Crossen has also been named Assistant Swim Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Crossen will handle coaching and recruiting responsibilities with the Soka University men’s and women’s teams, and will retain his position with the Novas in addition to his duties with Soka University. According to Head Coach Salo, “With the hiring of Adam Crossen and the partnership between Soka University/Irvine Novaquatics Jon Urbanchek, Soka University has positioned itself to compete with all-comers for the nation’s top swimming recruits. This may be the only university in the nation that can boast two USA Olympic Coaches as staff members.

“Combined with the knowledge and organizational skill of Crossen this staff will match the fire-power of even the most resource-rich programs in the country. Collegiate swimming is about attracting the best student-athletes. With this staff, Soka University will do just that, as we’ve put our resources into a coaching staff that may be regarded as the best “on-deck” coaches in the country.”

The compliment of Urbanchek’s history as a legndary distance coach and Coach Salo’s reputation for developing sprint and stroke talent can lead Soka University Aquatics to a level of performance unmatched by comparable programs.

Salo is happy to be reunited with his mentor. “It will be a great opportunity to work with Jon again. [Salo swam for Urbanchek at Long Beach State, Urbanchek’s first year of collegiate coaching]. There is no better on-deck coach in this country. Jon is the most systematic and methodical coach that I know.

“We are going to attract some outstanding young talent that want to work with one of the best distance coaches in the history of our sport. The opportunity with Soka University will allow Jon to soak in the California sun, drink his Starbuck’s coffee and coach motivated athletes – all of which he does better than most!”

Urbanchek and Salo look forward to developing a west coast competitive swim camp that will excite young swimming athletes to excel.

Salo is excited about adding Crossen to the University’s staff. “In his own right, Adam stands alone as one of the top collegiate assistant coaches in the country. His experience as an athlete at the University of Southern California and as an assistant coach in such storied programs as Auburn University and Cal Berkeley make him uniquely qualified to help lead a program to success.

“Adam has worked the decks with some of the finest college coaches in the country – Dave Marsh, Mark Schubert, Teri McKeever, Nort Thornton. I don’t know anyone who knows the sport and its’ the participants as well as Adam. Crossen is knowledgeable, organized and enthusiastic about building a respected first rate aquatics program at Soka University.

Crossen has moved quickly up the ranks of distinguished young coaches. He currently is the Senior Team Assistant Coach for the Novaquatics, preparing Olympic medal hopefuls Lenny Krayzelberg, Jason Lezak, Dave Denniston, Brad Schumacher and Stacianna Stitts for the US Olympic Trials. In addition to his coaching duties he will monitor all operations and logistical aspects of the Novas’ 22 qualifiers for this month’s Trials in Long Beach, CA. He was also the Director of the USA Swimming 2004 Select Camp for the Western region held at Soka University.